6 Best Products To Treat Annoying Ingrown Hairs (And How To Avoid Them In The First Place)

If you like to keep things well-groomed down there, you’ve probably experienced the woes of unsightly red razor bumps. You know what we’re talking about: pesky ingrown hairs.

As their name suggests, these stubborn lumps form when a hair grows back into the skin instead of outward. That usually happens after hair removal like waxing or shaving, especially if you’re not on top of replacing your razor regularly.

“If you’re shaving every day, you should be tossing your razor and getting a new one at least once a week,” advises Joel Schlessinger, MD, board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf contributor. “Dull blades are more likely to cause razor bumps, irritation, nicks, and cuts. Old blades can also harbor bacteria, which can lead to infections.” (These 7 shaving mistakes are wrecking your skin.)

And if you have curly hair, which naturally grows back toward the skin, you’re more likely to develop ingrown hairs, Schlessinger says. This explains why the bikini area, where hair tends to be coarser and curlier, is especially prone to inflamed razor bumps. (Sigh.)

To stop irritating ingrowns in their follicles, try these four prevention strategies, and remember to always shave in the direction of the grain—in other words, the same direction that your hair grows, adds Schlessinger. Though shaving against the grain may give you a closer, smoother shave, it also increases your odds of getting ingrown hairs and razor burn, he cautions.

But what to do if you’ve already sprouted obnoxious razor bumps? One of these expert-approved ingrown hair treatment products can help you get that sucker out safely:

Buf Puf Exfoliating Body Sponge

walgreens

“Ingrown hairs happen when a hair can’t find its way out of the follicle,” says Cynthia Bailey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. “That can happen when dead skin cells scale over the opening.”

To get rid of this cell build-up so you can remove your ingrown hair (here’s how to do that), try using the double-sided Buf Puf, which is “easy to use and has a nice level of roughness to physically exfoliate the dead cells off,” Bailey says. “It has a white side for lighter exfoliation and a blue/green side for a heavier exfoliation.” Make sure to let your sponge dry completely between uses so infection-causing microbes don’t make it their home.

BeautyRx Ingrown Hair Treatment Pads

Beauty Rx

Once you buff away dead cells, apply a warm washcloth to your trouble spot, then try using these pads to coax out the ingrown hair without aggravating your skin. “We formulated them with glycolic acid to help exfoliate, plus green tea to soothe your skin while it treats, making these pads gentle enough to be used on sensitive areas like the bikini line,” says Neal Schultz, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City and creator of BeautyRx. They also work well for men dealing with razor bumps on the neck or chin.

Bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Pads

Amazon

Like Dr. Shultz’ treatment pads, these ones “contain salicylic acid and other key ingredients which help to turn over the skin and exfoliate and prevent ingrowns,” says Michele Green, MD, board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf contributor. Smoothing oat extract, witch hazel, and lavender oil work together to soothe tender skin, making these gentle exfoliators perfect for using right after shaving. (Looking for the right moisturizer? These dermatologist-approved picks from the drugstore work like a charm.)

LagunaMoon Tea Tree Essential Oil

Amazon

There's a reason tea tree oil is an ingredient in so many skin-care products: "It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties," says Rebecca Lee, a registered nurse in New York City and the founder of RemediesForMe.com. Go straight to the source and buy a bottle of this essential oil to make your own ingrown hair remedy. Lee likes this particular brand because it's undiluted and "doesn't have a weird, funky smell that can sometimes come from cheaper brands that infuse their products with chemicals.” Just mix 10-15 drops into a bowl of warm water, soak a washcloth, and apply to the razor bump for about 30 minutes, Lee advises.

Ultra-Fast Body Smoothing AHA Skin Care Kit

Dr. Bailey Skincare

This powerhouse kit equips you with everything you need to effectively massage out that ingrown hair: glycolic acid body wash, glycolic acid lotion, and a salux cloth. Just avoid using it in any sensitive areas, such as skin folds in the panty-line region. "AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid) are too strong for most people's folds!" Bailey says. "It means that this kit works really well for the anterior thigh and lower abdomen outside of a deep fold." (What type of sensitive skin are you?)

Earth’s Daughter Aloe Vera Gel

Amazon

Like tea tree oil, aloe vera has an antibacterial effect and helps ease inflammation. When applied to ingrown hairs, "it also helps to immediately stop itchiness and redness," says Lee. Earth's Daughter's organic, cold-pressed aloe vera is made from all natural ingredients and is fragrance- and color-free, so it's a safe bet for sensitive skin. "Apply the aloe gel to the affected area and let it dry for at least 30 minutes," Lee instructs. "You can leave it on or wash it off. Repeat a few times a day for 3-5 days." (Here are 10 more aloe beauty tricks you need to try.)

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